Tag: fictional story prompt

Cheapskate Travelers

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

Imagine that your character goes out to eat with friends.  He orders a number of drinks, a serving of appetizers, an entree and, finally, a desert. The food is delicious and so he eats every single thing…all by himself.

The other members in the group are more conservative. One has coffee, another a soda, the third just water. None of them order an appetizer. One chooses a small salad as an entrée, another the special of the day, and the third has an American Burger. One orders ice cream for dessert, but the rest have nothing.

It’s obvious that each person in the group owes a different amount on money.

Normally, when the four eat out, the understanding is that they pay for what they order. But this time, the glutton, announces that they should split the bill evenly.

They all agree that the service has been excellent and that the waiter deserves a large tip.

Problems ensue when the bill is delivered. The glutton’s share of the bill would be close to one-third, if not a little bit more. But he still insists they split if equally.

What happens?

Your task is to write the story that shows how everyone reacts. Emotions are key here. Most likely there’s an argument, but does it stay low-key or become heated?

Have fun with this one.

Body Switch

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

Sports fans are often in awe of the superstars of their favorite teams. They’d love to meet them, get their signatures, and if they are athletes themselves have half of their talent. Imagine being able to switch bodies, as in many movies, and be a superstar one for just one game?

Some of us are too old for such things, but might like a healthier body, one without excess weight and creaky joints. What if the change could be permanent? I’m not sure I’d like that: after all, I already know all the flaws of my body. All the previously broken bones and knee problems. My wrinkled face no longer terrifies me and I am now longer embarrassed by the ray hair and slightly stooped shoulders.

Taking it a million steps further, what if you resembled someone so closely that you could walk in the same shoes, wear the same clothes, speak the same language and assume the same roles? Would you do it?

Your task is to write a story in which two people switch places. It can be an accidental switch, such as one person stepping through a closing door as the other is stepping out. Or it can be an intentional switch in which one person searches for a look-alike, contacts that individual, and then the two of them agree to change places for a set period of time.

Have fun with this!

Weather Events

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

Imagine a dense fog that obliterates your ability to see the house across the street. Or driving through the curtain of mist. How you’d need to use your windshield wipers to remove the moisture so you can see.

Keep in mind that many people live where it snows and have to shovel their driveways, brush snow off their windshields and drive on slippery roads.

Others live where there are tornadoes or hurricanes. Coming home from a shopping trip, their car might get swept away by roiling water or a limb might fall and crush the front end. A tornado might destroy houses and hurricanes might wash away miles of beach.

Your task is to reread a section of your story, looking for places where descriptions of weather could influence behavior, actions, and thoughts. Write in elements that show how your character reacts, what he thinks and how he feels.

Have fun with this one.

Thanksgiving

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            There are times to celebrate all the good things that have come our way. Times to rejoice, to laugh, to pray, to give thanks. To remind ourselves That we might have more than others, and to be grateful for what we do have.

            Thanksgiving Day has become a huge commercial enterprise. There are gift cards, decorations, themed toys and gifts, cookies in the shape of turkeys and pilgrims. Schools have Thanksgiving celebrations where students make pilgrim costumes and share themed candies.

Commercials show happy families welcoming guests. For many, television mirrors their family life. But, for others, family gatherings are times of extreme stress and so they choose to eat alone.

            Your task is to write a story in which Thanksgiving plays a major part. Your character might be the type who celebrates alone, in which case you need to show how this is handled. For example, does she cook a turkey breast for herself? Volunteer at a local food bank? Go to a restaurant that serves a typical dinner?

Or does your character celebrate with others? That time doesn’t have to be free from stress. In fact, to make the story more interesting, a bit of high drama might be fun.

Remember to include emotional details so that readers walk in the minds and hearts of the characters.

            Have fun with this one.

Fantasy Worlds

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

Some writers find it easy to create worlds from the ground up. They design mountains, valleys, forest, rivers and lakes, cities and villages. They populate their worlds with people who are like us, as well as with those having superpowers.

There are languages and clothing and foods that suite that world, perhaps even as identifiers of their position in society.

Just like in our world, some in the new world will be peaceful, others warlike. Some meek, while others aggressive. Some are masters of yoga, while fight with weapons.

Your task is to design a new world. Draw the outer borders. The seas and mountains. Inlets and ports. Where resources are found. Where are the farms and ranches?

What type of government is there? How do individuals get in power? Are they compassionate rulers or despots? What are the main rules that impact ordinary citizens?

How do the different peoples get along? With understanding or with conflict?

When you are finished, look back at your design, paying attention to what should be added as well as what won’t work or those things that need to be change.

If you have a storyline, start writing!

Have fun with this one.

Phobia Time

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            You need to introduce some spice into your story. One way to do that is to let your protagonist’s phobias pop out unexpectedly.

            For example, he’s in the shower when a large, brown spider drops on his shoulder. If he’s okay with spiders, he might try to catch it so as to release it outside. However, if he’s terrified, he’ll jump as he brushes it away. He might scream, dance about the shower, even call for help if his partner isn’t afraid.

            What would make this even more interesting is if this display happened when during a gathering. Imagine what her colleagues would say when a normally calm woman bursts into hysterics when a tiny mouse scampers across the floor!

            Your task is to write a story in which your character has kept his phobia hidden from others. An occurrence happens in which his fears are revealed in such a way as to change perceptions of the character.

            Set the scene, populating it with business coworkers, old classmates or fishing friends. Let there be fun happening, or a solemn meeting, or a class reunion. Introduce the bee, spider, mouse or snake.

            Have fun with this one.

An Old Friend

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            You’ve got your protagonist planned out. You know your setting and the premise of your story. Perhaps you’ve written a good portion, with tension and a perfect adversary.

            Then you bogged down, not knowing where to go next.

            One way is to insert an old acquaintance from the character’s past.

            This person needs to be a bit quirky or argumentative or a bully. She could have stolen the protagonist’s love interest or bested her in a competition.

            Perhaps he’s the ex-boyfriend or husband, moving back home.

            Write the story of what happens as soon as your character is aware of this person’s reappearance.

            Use narrative and dialogue. Include emotional reactions: think sweaty palms, heart palpitations, trouble breathing.

            Ramp up the tension. Perhaps there’s a nasty interaction, or your character overhears him saying nasty things about her.

            Have fun with this one.

Lean into the Possibilities

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            Did anyone ever doubt that you could become whatever you’d dreamt of accomplishing? How did that make you feel? Did it stop you, delay your achievement, or did it inspire you to prove them wrong?

            One thing we seldom hear is that we all need to lean into our possibilities, not shy away from them. Let’s say you want to be a doctor, but can’t keep up with the grueling pace of coursework. You still want to help people, so you change paths and become a nurse.

            You’ve leaned into the possibilities, by finding a course that works for you.

            Your task is to write a story in which your protagonist has a desire to be or do something huge, something that will define who he/she is.  Add negative or discouraging voices. Give your protagonist hurdles that have to be overcome. Setbacks add tension. But most of all, we want to see her choosing possibilities that work for her.

            Have fun with this one.

Something to Fear

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            Everyone is afraid of something. It might be failure or of being left out. It could be heights, spiders, or driving on freeways. Some are terrified of crowds, especially after the pandemic.

            Using fear as a trope can lead to interesting stories, especially when the antagonist is quite terrifying to behold in terms of appearance as well as behavior.

            Your task is to write a story in which fear is the predominate emotion. Begin by creating a list of possible things to fear, thinking outside the box: nothing triggering, such as a fear of clowns. Then imagine the setting in which the story takes place. It could be the principal’s office, a cabin in the woods, a crowded shopping mall.

            Consider first person POV so that readers will experience everything through your character’s emotions. Next, think about changing perspective, writing in the voice of the person who causes the fear. How does this alter the story? Or, perhaps write in the eyes of a bystander who witnessed the event.

            Have fun with this one.

Group Dynamics

On By Terry ConnellyIn prompt, Uncategorized, Writing promptLeave a comment

            Call to mind a time when you participated in a group. It could be playing a sport, something that involves more than one player. Or it could be a meeting, either professional or for pleasure.

            Shortly after the group was formed, the dynamics began to play out. The leader might now really be the leader. Instead, it’s the know-it-all at the opposite end of the table who quickly spouts her opinions as gospel, overriding the actual leader.

            There are the meek, who sit with heads down, slopping shoulders, trying to blend in with the chair, hoping not to get noticed. When called upon, they offer brief, concise statements.

            And then there are those who really, really want to be recognized, but who sit with smiles and wide-open eyes, waiting for the leader to see that they have something to offer.

            Your task is to write a story in which a group meeting is held. Because dialogue will be crucial in establishing dynamics, include lots! Description is crucial as well so that readers can see how participants are acting.

            Have fun with this one.